Back by popular demand, the Aspen Institute presents the Sharing Shakespeare Series, led and curated by Tom Buesch, PhD.  Exploring another round of William Shakespeare’s plays, volunteer moderators will lead participants through lively discussions dissecting the intriguing themes and characters in Shakespeare that still resonate today. Participants will read one play per month and share their insights and questions to reach a fuller understanding of the Bard’s works.

Dates and Times:  Monday nights from 5:30–7:00 pm MT October 12, November 16, December 7, January 25, February 22, March 15, April 19, May 10, June 14.

Location: Zoom for Modules 1 & 2. Should we deem it safe we may return to socially distant gatherings for Module 3 on our Aspen Meadows Campus.

Fee: $135, includes all sessions and reading materials. Scholarships available. Registration is now closed. Please email [email protected] to be put on the wait list or for further information.

Module 1

October 12: Romeo and Juliet
Passionate teenage love, a violent family feud, parents who just don’t understand, the four main characters all dead at the end, and a priest who tries to meddle and fails tragically – what’s not to like?!?
Moderators: Sandi Kister and Tom Buesch

November 16: Much Ado About Nothing
This play features Beatrice and Benedict in an epic battle of the sexes, a subject as old as time. Join us as we delve into one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies.
Moderators: Cathy O’Connell and Fred Venrick

December 7: Hamlet
Hamlet challenges us, as he did Rosencrantz and Gildenstern: “You would pluck out the heart of my mystery.”   Ah, if only we could.  The most brilliant minds of the past 420 years – among them Goethe, Tolstoy, Freud – have tried.  And now, we of “Sharing Shakespeare” will give it another go.
Moderators: Carol and Ken Adelman

Module 2

January 25: King John moderated by Morgan Walsh and Ted Frisbie

February 22: King Lear moderated by Donna and Bernie Grauer

March 15: Richard II moderated by Cari Shurman and Gerry VanderBeek

Module 3

April 19: The Two Gentlemen of Verona moderated by Dipika Rai and Howie Mallory

May 10: The Comedy of Errors moderated by Mike McGowan and Carl Lucero*

June 14: As You Like It moderated by Julie Comins and Greg Pickrell*

*Please note we have switched the order of the last two plays